Chapter Thirteen: The Film Begins Shooting

“What’s the temperature today? Why is it so hot?”

Zhang Qianjun took a bottle of ice-cold soda, downing it in one gulp.

“Burp~” A slow belch of carbon dioxide escaped, and Zhang Qianjun immediately felt refreshed.

Li Kai, holding a bottle of ice-cold soda as well, stood beside him.

“Usually around 31 degrees.”

“It’s already October and still 31 degrees? Is the Misty City this hot? I thought only southern China got this warm.”

Li Kai looked puzzled. “Isn’t the Misty City considered southern?”

“Not really. In my understanding, only areas south of Qiantang are considered the South.”

Unconsciously, filming had been underway for over half a month. Though it was a makeshift crew, the shoot was surprisingly smooth. After all, everyone involved was a professional. Aside from the lead actors and the second leads, the other roles were minor. The modern campus setting made it easy for everyone to immerse themselves.

The cast was generally young, and whenever problems arose, Zhang Songwen and Hao Lei stepped in to guide.

Since Hao Lei joined the crew, Zhang Qianjun found her unexpectedly useful. He handed her a temporary contract for acting coaching. Together with Zhang Songwen, they took on the roles of acting coaches.

However, since Hao Lei had once been a star herself, she could only stay for a short time, unlike Zhang Songwen, who stayed with the crew from start to finish.

It had to be said, when Hao Lei coached the female lead and second female lead, her sharp little glances were truly spirited. If only she were younger and less intimidating, she would have been the perfect fit to play the role herself.

During the scene where Liu Xiaobei met Chen Nian for the first time, Hao Lei pointed out that the thugs paired with Zhang Qianjun were too few. With only three scrawny guys, there was no way to match Zhang Qianjun’s tall and sturdy frame. It was unrealistic.

So they recruited some good friends, forming a gang of over ten thugs, and only then did they manage to shoot the previously haphazard fight scene properly.

“Which scene are we shooting tonight?” Zhang Qianjun asked Liu Chang.

“The scene where Liu Xiaobei threatens Wei Lai.”

“Director, Qianjun, I have some concerns about this scene,” Zhang Songwen approached and addressed the director and lead actor.

Zhang Qianjun knew Zhang Songwen had something serious to say because the latter was very conscientious on set and never engaged in idle chatter.

“Please, Zhang teacher, go ahead.”

“I think the script’s part where Liu Xiaobei flicks a cigarette butt onto Wei Lai’s face and then threatens her with a knife is inappropriate.”

Huh? What’s wrong with that? Zhang Qianjun and Liu Chang exchanged puzzled looks, unable to find the issue.

“In the film, Liu Xiaobei is often someone whose ID is checked frequently. If he carries a knife to threaten Wei Lai and gets caught by the police, he’d face at least five days of detention. Even if Chen Nian later gets her head shaved, Xiaobei had a steel pipe and was ready to rush out.

Xiaobei does break the law, but threatening with a knife is a different matter. He’s not a bad guy. Also, with your build, Qianjun, why would you need a knife to threaten Kan Qingzi?”

It had to be said, Zhang Songwen’s manner of speaking was very pleasant, unlike Hao Lei’s somewhat sharp style. He was always tactful and a little cautious—life had taught him well.

“Zhang teacher, your suggestion makes sense. We’ll shoot it that way.” Before the director could respond, Zhang Qianjun made the decision. Liu Chang nodded repeatedly and began arranging the next scene.

Filming was about to start. Zhang Qianjun noticed Kan Qingzi standing by the wall, looking as if she wanted to speak but dared not. Thinking of the upcoming scenes, he felt a pang in his heart and approached her.

“Qingzi, don’t worry about this scene. When I flick the cigarette butt at your face, it’ll hit the filter first, so it won’t burn your little cheeks. Trust me, I’ve practiced.”

Hearing his concern, Kan Qingzi felt shy yet grateful. Just as she was about to speak, Zhang Qianjun’s next words left her speechless.

“Let’s aim to get it right in one take to reduce risk. Besides, the cigarette butt’s heat isn’t that high. Unless it’s pressed directly on the skin, it won’t leave scars. Don’t worry.”

Kan Qingzi thought to herself, So you’re saying it won’t burn your face but mine? I still need to keep my face to eat with. Although she was resentful, as an ungraduated actress, she bit her lip and endured, hoping Zhang Qianjun’s hands were as reliable as his words. She then moved to her position.

“Youthful You, scene one hundred sixty-eight, action!”

With the assistant’s shout of “Action,” Wei Lai, dressed in an off-shoulder cropped top and loose jeans, wearing a baseball cap, walked down the street. Liu Xiaobei followed closely behind.

“Hey!”

At the moment Wei Lai turned her head, Liu Xiaobei flicked the cigarette butt swiftly. It landed on her face, sparking a burst of fire. Immediately, her head was pushed against the wall, a large hand clamping her neck and part of her head like iron tongs, immobilizing her. Half her face was pressed into the cold, dark wall. Her eyes could only see the bleak surface.

It felt like an eternity passed as the hand’s owner slowly leaned into her body. The hoarse voice sounded as if squeezed from deep within the throat.

“Don’t touch Chen Nian.”

As the voice faded, the hand released her head, but the fear remained. She couldn’t make a sound; tears fell like broken strings. Her body trembled slightly before collapsing softly to the ground.

“Cut! Very good!”

Liu Chang called excitedly. The first half of the scene was from Liu Xiaobei’s eyes, then the perspective switched to Wei Lai after the cigarette butt landed on her face. Throughout, only Liu Xiaobei’s hand and a hooded figure’s back were visible.

Zhang Qianjun walked to the camera to watch. He had to admit, Old Han, the cameraman, was truly skilled. The shot was masterful; even without sound, it conveyed an indescribable fear descending upon Wei Lai.

“Old Han’s amazing. That take’s a wrap!” Zhang Qianjun spoke up early, suppressing Liu Chang’s suggestion to do another.

“Wrap for the day, wrap for the day! Tonight’s supper is on me. Eat well and get some rest; we fight again tomorrow.”

“Boss Zhang is generous!” “Boss Zhang is magnanimous!” praises echoed around.

In these twenty-odd days of shooting, everyone on set had come to understand one thing clearly: Zhang Qianjun was the boss here. When he spoke, everyone followed.

Though Zhang Qianjun could be sharp when upset, he was generally straightforward and principled. He said things face to face, scolded directly, and once the issue was resolved, it was over. He never held grudges or caused trouble afterward.

Moreover, the crew’s meals were excellent. Boss Zhang constantly supplied drinks and often treated everyone to late-night snacks. If you wanted to go, you went; if not, you rested. Freedom after work was a priority. So despite the tight schedule, everyone adapted well.

Just as Zhang Qianjun was about to leave for the supper stall, he suddenly felt something was missing.

“Where’s Qingzi?” He turned and saw Kan Qingzi still sitting by the wall. Everyone was busy packing up, yet no one was attending to her.

He strode over and crouched down, patting her shoulder. She shivered again, still facing the wall with her head down.

“Qingzi, we’re done for the day. Come on, let’s go eat.”

He poked her again, but she remained motionless.

Sensing something was wrong, Zhang Qianjun gently grabbed her shoulders. Without much force, she wouldn’t budge. Then he cupped her head, wanting to see her face.

Strangely, as soon as he held her head, Kan Qingzi obediently turned toward him. Zhang Qianjun saw her small face streaked with tears, her almond-shaped eyes red and swollen.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Kan Qingzi was timid and embarrassed, barely whispering like a mosquito.

“I can’t get up.”

“What’s the matter? So deep in character your legs gave out?”

Seeing her silence, Zhang Qianjun looked beneath her and realized she had picked a spot with water and couldn’t get up.

“Don’t look!”

Kan Qingzi finally panicked, but Zhang Qianjun acted nonchalantly. Calmly, he took off his hoodie and wrapped it around her waist.

“I’m helping you up, okay?”

Without waiting for her consent, he embraced her from the front and lifted her off the ground. As she stood, Kan Qingzi lowered her head, shrinking behind Zhang Qianjun’s broad shoulders.

“Kaige, when you pay, be sure to keep track, and bring me twenty skewers of pork tenderloin and four grilled flatbreads.”

Zhang Qianjun called back to Li Kai.

“Got it!” Li Kai responded promptly, though a sly smile appeared on his face. He then called everyone to leave.

“Where’s Qianjun? He’s not coming for supper? That’s unlike him,” Han Qiming asked, puzzled, as he packed up equipment.

“He’s definitely eating; just going back to eat tonight,” Li Kai raised his eyebrows.

“Strange. He usually likes to eat hot skewers and wash them down with cold beer. Tonight he’s going back?”

“People need a change sometimes. Stop talking and hurry to eat. If you’re late, the beasts will have cleaned out the barbecue stall again.”

Prompted by Li Kai, Han Qiming quickened his pace, eager to eat.

While the others went for skewers, Zhang Qianjun held Kan Qingzi as they got into a taxi back to the hotel.

They sat a little apart in the back seat, both staring out the window like strangers. Upon arriving, Kan Qingzi lowered her head and obediently leaned into his embrace. Together, they entered the elevator.

At Kan Qingzi’s room door, she opened it and paused, finally lifting her head.

The silence was heavy, so Zhang Qianjun broke it first: “Sorry if I scared you.”

“No need to apologize. Thank you for today.”

“Then won’t you invite me in for a soda?”

“Ah? At this hour? Can I shower first…”

A blush spread across Kan Qingzi’s fair face.

“Hahaha, just kidding. Go ahead, don’t catch a cold.”

Hearing this, the girl’s face showed a mix of shyness and annoyance.

“You’re really annoying! I was going to treat you to dinner.”

“It’s no big deal—dinner some other time.”

Without looking back, Zhang Qianjun headed down the corridor.

Seeing him leave, Kan Qingzi quickly closed the door, undressing as she walked toward the bathroom.

“I’m so embarrassed today—ahhhhhh!”

A muffled scream came from the bathroom crack.

More than half an hour later, Li Kai returned to the hotel with takeout and knocked on Zhang Qianjun’s door.

“Qianjun, I left the food outside. No Qingdao beer left, so I brought you two cans of Mountain City beer.” Just as he turned to leave, the door opened. Zhang Qianjun appeared, carrying the takeout box.

“Thanks, Kai ge. As long as it’s cold, it’s good.” He turned and closed the door.

Li Kai glanced inside with peripheral vision. Huh? No one was there? Strange.

The electronic lock clicked. Liu Chang, reviewing the next day’s schedule, looked up as Li Kai returned and asked immediately, his thick eyebrows raising mischievously, “What’s going on?”

“Drinking alone under the moon,” Li Kai replied.

Liu Chang was momentarily stunned, then said with some surprise, “Strange—this guy doesn’t look like someone who’d be a vegetarian.”